Some Guidelines for Making New Year’s Resolutions
Posted by deangonzales on December 31, 2008
As another year approaches, many Americans are preparing to make “New Year’s Resolutions,” which one online encyclopedia defines as “commitments that an individual makes to a project or the reforming of a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous.” Among the most popular resolutions made on the eve of the New Year include the following:
#1- Resolved to “lose weight”
#2- Resolved to “manage debt”
#3- Resolved to “save money”
#4- Resolved to “get a better job”
#5- Resolved to “get in better physical shape”
#6- Resolved to “eat right”
#7- Resolved to “get a better education”
#8- Resolved to “drink less alcohol”
#9- Resolved to “quit smoking”
#10- Resolved to “reduce stress”
Perhaps some of us are planning to make similar resolutions. But I’d like to encourage us to set some higher goals. There’s nothing wrong with seeking to reduce unnecessary stress, enhancing our education, improving our vocation, getting our finances in better order, and doing things that promote good health. However, it’s possible to pursue all these goals and leave God completely out of the picture. I fear that many of Americans do this very thing.
But note the Scripture writer in Psalm 119:59! First, he refers to self-reflection, “I thought about my ways.” Then, in the second half of the verse, he refers to personal reformation, “And [I] turned my feet to [God’s] testimonies.” He used the Scripture as a yardstick to measure success, and He was motivated by a desire to please God. This is what we must do, brothers. We must reflect on our ways in light of and bring them into conformity with God’s word. Moreover, the Bible tells us that whether we eat, drink, or make New Year’s resolutions our driving motivation must be the glory and enjoyment of God (1 Cor. 10:31). Let’s consider the subject of self-reflection and personal reformation in more detail, as these disciplines are set forth in Psalm 119:59.
I. SELF-REFLECTION
The psalmist informs us, “I thought about my ways.” The Hebrew term translated “thought” (hashab) conveys two related ideas. First, it means “to consider, to ponder, to contemplate, or to mull over” (Pss. 73:16; 77:6; 144:3). It’s what you do when you read the essay question on your finally exam. You “think about it; you ‘mull over’ it.” Hopefully, that’s what you’re doing as I’m speaking! Your mind is engaged. But the Hebrew term also denotes “evaluation” (Prov. 17:28; Isa. 53:4). When a parent seeks to resolve a conflict between two disputing children, he asks for all the facts in order to understand what the dispute is all about and to render an evaluation of the dispute that is just and fair.
So the psalmist engaged his mind for the purpose of comprehension and evaluation. But what was the object of his careful scrutiny? “I thought about,” he says, “my ways.” The Hebrew term translated “way” or “ways” (derek) literally refers either to a road or path upon which one travels or to the actual journey itself. But the Bible often uses this term metaphorically to refer to a man’s actions and behavior (Gen. 6:12; Ps. 1:6). Thus, the psalmist is seriously thinking about and passing judgment upon his actions and behavior. Of course, there’s an intimate and inseparable relationship between one’s “ways” and one’s attitudes and motivations (see Isa. 55:7-8; Matt. 5:20ff.). Therefore, as you and I reflect upon our ways, we must not only focus upon the outward act. It’s not enough to say, “We’ll, I don’t cuss, I go to church, I haven’t murdered anyone, I haven’t committed adultery, I haven’t robed a bank,” and then to conclude, “I’m doing just fine.” On the other hand, the primary emphasis is on our actions and behavior. Hence, the “self-reflection” in view is not merely a kind of “psychoanalysis.” If we become too introspective, we’ll get so hung up on examining our thoughts, feelings, and motives, that we’ll never really give much attention to our behavior.
In our day and age, Christians are often too busy for self-reflection. We’re too busy with our work. We’re too busy with our recreation. We’re too busy with our entertainment. We just don’t have time for “self-reflection.” But the psalmist apparently found the time—or better, he set aside the time for self-reflection: “I thought about my ways,” he says. And as a New Year approaches, I want to urge all of us to set aside some time for the purpose of self-reflection.
Seven practical guidelines:
1) Let’s reflect upon the state of our soul.
Are we right with God? Do we have assurance of our salvation? If not, then why not? Do we have a good conscience? If not, then what sin do we need to confess and forsake?
2) Let us reflect upon our use of the private and public means of grace.
Have we been regularly reading, studying, and meditating upon the Scripture? Have we been spending a consistent amount of time communing with God in private prayer? How has our attendance been at the stated meetings of the church? Do we make every reasonable effort to join the people of God in corporate worship?
3) Reflect upon our stewardship over time and money.
Have we been making good use of our time? Are we giving more of our time to entertainment and recreation, than to the cultivation of our walk with God? Are we using your money in a way that would honor God? Would we be ashamed to tell the Lord about any purchases we made last month? What about our giving? Are we bringing the Lord the first fruits and tithes?
4) Reflect upon our family relationships.
Men, how is our relationship with our wife at this moment? Ladies, how is your relationship with your husband? Did we fight on the way to church? Have we been trying to provoke one another to good works, or to good arguments? What about our relationship with our children? Have we been trying to win their conscience? Have we been setting a good example before them in the home? Have we been teaching them biblical truth and praying with them?
5) Reflect upon our Christian witness.
How do we think our neighbors and workmates view us? As a good man or a good woman? Is that all we want them to think about us? Have we made any efforts to bring them the gospel? Or, have we tried to avoid any contact with them?
6) Reflect upon the use of our Christian liberty.
Is our use of Christian liberty consistent with brotherly love? Are we labeling things ‘Christian liberty’ that might be questionable at best? Are we engaged in an activity that may be harmless for others, but which is hurting us spiritually?
7) Reflect upon our love and devotion for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Do we spend much time thinking about our Savior? Is He, in the language of 1 Peter 2, “precious” to us? Are we still moved by His substitutionary death on our behalf? Are we truly thankful that He is presently living to make intercession for us? Do we really look forward to His Second Coming with joy and hope?
Let us “think about our ways.” Let assess and evaluate our attitudes, actions, and behavior: “Yes, I am making progress in this area.” Or, “I’ve seen some improvement but not as much as there ought to be.” Or, “I’ve miserably failed.” Let us “think about our ways.” But that’s not all we must do. Self-reflection is only the first part. Secondly, we must engage with the Psalmist in
II. PERSONAL REFORMATION
“I thought about my ways,” he says, “and [I] turned my feet to [God’s] testimonies.” Once again, the psalmist is using metaphorical language. If his attitude and behavior can be likened to a “pathway,” then “the turning of his feet” can be compared to a change of direction in his life. Apparently, as the psalmist analyzed his attitudes and behavior in the light of God’s word, he concluded the need for reformation.
Here’s where we often drop the ball, isn’t it? We reflect on our ways. We feel convicted about our sins. We make a resolution to change our behavior. But alas! That’s where it often ends! It may interest you to know that a recent survey taken on Americans who make New Year’s Resolutions found that “only 12% actually achieved their goals.” If only 12% of those who resolve to go on a diet or exercise more or stop smoking or control their debt are successful, what kind of success rate does that portend for those of us who are seeking to bring the entirety of our life into conformity with God’s word?!
Somebody says, “I did lose 20 pounds!” Well, that’s great. But physical fitness without spiritual fitness will profit you little for the life to come. Certainly, we should be concerned about our eating habits and bodily exercise. But the Christian’s list of resolutions should reflect a list of priorities that may not make “the World’s Top 10 Resolutions” list. Consider, for example, a few of the resolutions Jonathan Edwards made as a 19-year old new believer. He actually penned 21, but here are the first 10:
1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’ s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever.
2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new contrivance and invention to promote the aforementioned things.
3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.
4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.
5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.
6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.
7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.
8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God.
9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances, which attend death.
10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.
We’re mainly concerned about losing a few pounds. But Edwards primarily resolved to glorify and enjoy God! What’s more convicting is the fact that Edwards’ own life and spiritual accomplishments demonstrate that he followed through with his resolutions though not perfectly. Indeed, isn’t that the testimony of the psalmist? He doesn’t write, “I thought about my ways, and made some New Year’s resolutions to change my behavior.” Nor does he simply say, “I thought about my ways and made an earnest though failed attempt to change.” Rather, the verse reads, “I thought about my ways, and turned my feet to your testimonies.” To some degree, Jonathan Edwards and the psalmist followed through.
If they could do it, then it’s doable. It’s going to take effort. It won’t be easy. But if we’re genuine believers, none of us should read Psalm 119:59, and conclude, “Unrealistic and unattainable.” No, it is realistic and attainable. Otherwise God would not have placed it in the Bible for our instruction.
Some practical suggestions:
1) Plan to set aside 1 to 3 hours in order to take inventory of your life and to discern prayerfully areas where you need biblical reformation.
Obviously, we can’t “think about our ways” for the purpose of personal reformation if we don’t set aside some time for some undistracted self-reflection. So get out a piece of paper or a journal, ask yourself the kind of questions I suggested above, and write down a self-evaluation. Identify those areas in your life that need change. Then develop a biblical plan and a realistic strategy for bringing about that reformation.
2) Use the coming of a New Year as the occasion, not the limitation of making biblical resolutions.
Don’t just spend a few hours before new years drawing up a list of resolutions that you’ll file away and forget about. The New Year provides an excellent occasion to make such resolutions, but it should never be treated as the one and only time for making or reviewing our resolutions. I would encourage you to plan some periodic reviews. Daily, weekly, at the very least monthly reread your resolutions, evaluate your progress, and pray that God will enable you to keep pressing forward.
3) Ask a family member or brother in Christ to serve as your accountability partner.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 reads, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” The principle is obvious: we’ll be more successful in overcoming obstacles if we enlist the help of others. And I think most of us would attest that our own personal experience confirms this biblical principle. We’re usually much more successful at carrying through with our commitments when we have the accountability and encouragement of others. Indeed, this is one of the reasons why God has placed us in a spiritual family called the church. He never intended us to live the Christian life alone. So we read in Hebrews 10:25: “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another– and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” So ask your Christian spouse or parent or brother or sister in Christ to be your accountability partner. Share with him or with her the areas where you need to change and grow. Meet with him regularly to give an evaluation of your progress and to ask for prayer and counsel if necessary.
4) Read books and listen to sermons that address the subject of spiritual discipline and biblical sanctification.
If you reflect on your ways and discover areas of spiritual declension, I would strongly recommend that you get some good books or download some helpful sermons that address those areas of deficiency. Remember that Christ has given to the church the gift of “pastor-teachers” that we might be equipped for every good work (Eph. 4:11-12).
5) Don’t allow past failures to keep you from future success.
Many of us have made New Year’s resolutions in the past with which we failed to follow through and eventually forgot. In light of such failures, we may be tempted to simply give up on making resolutions. But I don’t believe that would be a biblical response. First, the Bible commends the making of vows or resolutions both by precept and example (Lev. 23:38; Num. 29:39; Pss. 22:25; 50:14; 61:8; 66:13; 116:14, 18; Nah. 1:15). Second, the Scripture encourages perseverance. As Paul reminded the Galatians, “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Gal. 6:9). We must not give up “for we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10). Therefore, let’s resolve anew that in 2009 we’re going to discern where we’ve strayed from the path of God’s word, and, God helping us, we’re going strive to bring those areas of our life into greater conformity to his word.
December 31st, 2008 at 1:58 am
Thanks Brother, I was challenged and encouraged.
December 31st, 2008 at 5:05 pm
[...] First here’s an excellent spiritual stock-take post from Dr. Gonzales, Reformed Baptist Seminary Tabletalk. [...]
January 1st, 2009 at 5:05 pm
Thanks for putting these notes on the internet! I really appreciated this message on Sunday. I was wondering though, in Edward’s first resolution, what do you think he means by “without any consideration of the time”?
January 5th, 2009 at 2:17 am
As I read the “Seven practical guidelines”, I began to get more and more convicted of my own failure in these areas. All of them were convicting, but #4 and #5 were especially heart piercing.
Great post!
As a side note, Jonathon Edwards is a great inspiration… and at only 19!
iRe4m
February 19th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
[...] with 4 comments Site has moved. Click here. [...]